Life of the Church: Joy’s and Concerns (May 2025)
Here is what our members had to share with us this month. To learn more about this please go here.
To share something with us, please send an email to: prayers@mcdunited.com
To visit our Candle Memorial, please click here.
May News
Dinners to Go: May Menu - Thank you McDougall for your support of our Dinners to Go program so far. We have raised almost $400 (and that is after purchasing some pretty snazzy new pots to cook the soup in). We look forward to continuing to provide some delicious options for you each month! In May we have a Beef Stew ($8) and Chicken Noodle Soup ($4). Continue reading on website.
Prepared to Drown: Meet May 9th Special Guest - Prepared to Drown is a monthly recorded podcast & live event with a variety of exciting themes exploring the intersection of faith & the world we live in today. Our next live recording is Friday, May 9th. This is not our usual recording day. The Podcast Episode is “Dam Good Neighbours: Small Breaches, Stronger Bonds". Podcast features: Rev. Bill Weaver, Ricardo De Menezes and special guest Laura Istead. Continue reading on website.
Thank you: We would like to "thank" the members of McDougall Church for the many phone calls, cards, notes of sympathy and prayers that were sent our way after the sudden death of our grandson Michael. It was much appreciated and meant a great deal. Thank You! Phyllis and Jerry T
Notice of Passing: Shirley Louise Collard - It is with sadness we announce the passing of Mrs. Shirley Collard of High River, Alberta at the Season's Retirement Community on April 23, 2025 at the age of 88 years. She was a member of McDougall in the 1970s and then became the Christian Education Director for a time. She then became a Diaconal Minister who ended up serving in Blackie for many years. Visit Candle Memorial.
Telus Cell Phone Tower: Telus cell phone tower construction will be occurring in stages during the month of May in the south parking lot. Parking will be limited in that area during construction.
Prepared to Drown: Meet May 9th Special Guest 2: Podcast features: Rev. Bill Weaver, Ricardo De Menezes and special guests; Laura Istead, Aurelio “Jun” Naraval and Brian Thiessen. Let’s learn more about Jun. Continue reading on website.
Prepared to Drown: Meet May 9th Special Guest 2: Podcast features: Rev. Bill Weaver, Ricardo De Menezes and special guests; Laura Istead, Aurelio “Jun” Naraval and Brian Thiessen. Let’s learn more about Brian Thiessen. Continue reading on website.
Red Dress Day Event - Wrap Up: On Saturday, May 3rd we held a Red Dress Day event at Ogden Hub 29. Guests enjoyed a meal together, did a Red Dress Pin making workshop, learned to make Bannock as well as other activities. Continue reading and see pictures.
Thank You! June and Ruth would like to say a BIG THANK YOU to all those who provided goodies for Sonia's Celebration of Life on Thursday and an EXTRA BIG THANK YOU to those who worked hard to make everything run smoothly :- Eleanor Anderson, Esther Petersen, Joan Johnston, Jean MacEachern, Klarice Koski, Marilyn Shoults, Shirley and Dick Fillo, Grace Baum, Marilyn Bates, Evelda Love and Marianne Medhurst.
Speaking of Resurrection! What Comes Next for our Shared Ministry: We’ve heard that there is some confusion around the process of our shared ministry agreement. In an effort to clarify things, we’ve laid out where we think we are, and some next steps. Continue reading on website.
Leadership Council First Quadrimestre Report (January – April 2025): Your Leadership Council has had a great start to 2025. We held two regularly scheduled meetings, hosted a Town Hall Meeting, and held our Annual General Meeting. Continue reading on website.
Rain Barrel Fundraiser - Thank You!: Thank you so much for you support of our McDougall Rain Barrel Fundraiser. Pick up for the barrels happened on May 9th from 2:30 pm to 6 pm. We lucked out with some beautiful weather with many of the team having sun burns to show for their efforts. Continue reading and see pictures on our website.
May 9 - Live Podcast Recording Pictures: Guests were treated to a very interesting discussion on May 9th at the live podcast recording of Prepared to Drown. The Podcast Episode was “Dam Good Neighbours: Small Breaches, Stronger Bonds" and featured: Rev. Bill Weaver, Ricardo De Menezes and special guests; Laura Istead, Aurelio “Jun” Naraval and Brian Thiessen. Continue reading and see pictures on our website.
Open Table May Wrap Up: On May 10th Open Table guests were invited to paint flower pots with sharpies or paint (or in some cases both) before picking some herbs to put in them. Many of these pots became Mother’s Day gifts the next day. Continue reading and see pictures on our website.
Notice of Passing: Florance Large-Yaholnitsky - With sadness, we share the passing of Florance Large-Yaholnitsky, mother of the late Sonia Dodd, on May 13, 2025. Florance was a regular presence at McDougall, often attending services alongside Sonia. Her last time with us was at Sonia’s funeral and celebration of life on May 1, 2025. Visit Candle Memorial.
Gift Card Program: Gift Cards Ready for Immediate Pick Up - We are trying something new with the monthly gift card program, having a few gift cards in stock that are ready for immediate purchase. This will start off small with minimal options as we try to figure out what congregation members want in stock. You could help us out by letting us know, do you like the idea of being able to purchase and take home some cards immediately? If so what cards do you want to see? Please send feedback to Sarah. Cards that we have in stock will be added to the store. You can see them all here. Limited quantities are available. While you are looking around, please consider pre-ordering some Dinners to Go meals or get some Coffee Tokens. All these fundraisers help raise money for the church. You can pre-order gift cards here. Learn more about our Fundraisers here.
Scholarship Fund - Update: Thanks to those who have added to the fund. Your contributions combined with our annual interest paid on a previous investment has provided the ability to include a few more scholarships. However, the fund is still low. The scholarship awards are planned for June (definite date not yet selected). Continue reading.
Worship and Congregational Leadership Minister Report: Jan – April 2025: 2025 has already been a busy year with lots happening in our church life. EVENTS: We joined with other churches in the SoCal Cluster to observe Black History Month with events over the four weeks. On February 2nd, McDougall screened the documentary “We Are the Roots” about the history of Black communities in Alberta. February 9th was an interfaith concert at Scarboro United Church. On February 16th Lakeview United screened the documentary “Black Lives in Alberta” and on February 23rd Fish Creek United screen John Ware Reclaimed. Continue reading on website.
Camp Kasota 2025 Schedule: The count down is on for this year’s Camp Kasota weekend on May 30 - June 1st. We still have a few spots available if you were thinking about attending but don’t wait too long as registration closes on TUESDAY, May 20. Camp is $95 a person and includes a bed for 2 nights and all meals/snacks. Below is the schedule for this year, we can’t wait to see you at camp! Continue reading on website.
Happy Anniversary! Cedric and Robin H celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary with members of McDougall Friendship Club on May 15, the actual date of their anniversary! They met while attending a youth group at Knox United Church in Calgary, were married there, and have enjoyed 60 years of birding, hiking and raising a family together. Congratulations with every good wish from members of McDougall!
Camp Kasota 2025 Menu: The count down is on for this year’s Camp Kasota weekend on May 30 - June 1st. Below is the menu for this year, we can’t wait to see you at camp! Continue reading and see menu.
Prepared to Drown: Meet Upcoming Guests for June 20th - Tracy Robertson. Prepared to Drown is a monthly recorded podcast & live event with a variety of exciting themes exploring the intersection of faith & the world we live in today. Our next live recording is Friday, June 20th. The Podcast Episode is “Parting the Binary: Let My Gender Flow” Continue reading on website.
Calling all instrumentalists for Joint Service June 8 - Calling all instrumentalists! Join Munk Bold and Tanya Wan Lim as we put together a worship band for our joint Pentecost and 100th anniversary service at Red Deer Lake United Church. The entire service will be underscored with music and celebration. Please reach out to Jen at the McDougall Site office office@mcdunited.com or 403.252.1620 and let her know what instrument you play. A rehearsal date prior to the service will be announced shortly.
Taste & Try May Recipes: Rev. Danah shared how to make tacos at the T&T event on May 8. Continue reading to see recipe and pictures online.
Reflections by Rev. Joanne Anquist: This coming week I’m heading to Newfoundland to the 100th Anniversary Celebration service of the United Church of Canada to be held at Gower St. United Church in St. John’s. I am able to attend this service because I am the Presiding Officer of the Chinook Winds Region – probably the only perk that role has! Continue reading on website.
Prepared to Drown: Meet Upcoming Guests for June 20th - Lor Gundersen, Prepared to Drown is a monthly recorded podcast & live event with a variety of exciting themes exploring the intersection of faith & the world we live in today. Our next live recording is Friday, June 20th. Continue reading on website.
This list will continue to be updated as they are provided. Make sure you send in your news!
See what happened in April here.
